Biden administration finishes North Korea policy review

The Biden administration finished its review of U.S. policy toward North Korea and will take a “calibrated, practical approach” to denuclearization, the White House announced on Friday.

“I can confirm that we’ve completed our DPRK policy review, which was thorough, rigorous and inclusive,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said, referring to North Korea by its official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

“We consulted closely with outside experts and our predecessors from several previous administrations and our way forward draws from their lessons learned and shared,” she added during a briefing.

Psaki, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, said the United States’ goal is the “complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula,” something that has eluded the last four administrations.

“Our policy will not focus on achieving a grand bargain nor will it rely on strategic patience. Our policy calls for a calibrated, practical approach that is open to and will explore diplomacy with the DPRK and to make practical progress that increases the security of the United States, our allies and deployed forces,” Psaki said.

President Biden was briefed last week on the review and the decision to pursue a phased agreement to denuclearization. Biden was briefed by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, national security adviser Jake Sullivan and Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, The Washington Post reported.

The Biden administration announced its review in January. It follows former President Trump’s unprecedented engagement with North Korea, including leader-to-leader diplomacy with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, as part of an effort to get Pyongyang to denuclearize.  

Psaki on Friday didn’t give details on Biden being briefed on the review but called it an “ongoing discussion.” She said the administration will also continue to consult with South Korea, Japan and other allies.